THE open-top bus is staying in the garage and the grand civic reception is off the agenda.

These socially-distanced times will also ensure that Paul Warne will not receive warm embraces, handshakes or pats on the back from scores of ecstatic Rotherham United supporters after he secured his second promotion as Millers manager.

As someone who is a tactile person at the best of times, that won’t be easy.

The fact that the Millers, for once, will start the next Championship season without a metaphorical hand tied behind their backs and will have an advantage on some rival clubs, will be more to Warne’s liking.

Mastermind: After the EFL’s ruling on Tuesday confirmed Rotherham would finish second in League One, it means Paul Warne has overseen two promotions in three years with the Millers. (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)

Amid the elation of the club’s previous second-tier promotion on May 27, 2018 – when the Millers triumphed at Wembley against Shrewsbury – the professional side of Warne was conscious that the new season would start in just 69 days.

Should the 2020-21 campaign start, as many suggest, in mid-September, Rotherham will have 97 days between the end of one season and the start of the next.

It will represent the best part of an extra month in terms of preparation and a big head-start on second-tier clubs who conclude their 2019-20 regular fixtures on July 22.

Promoted Rotherham United will have head-start on Championship rivals